The differences are that Harry works in team whereas Bond works alone. There is also use of modern technology in True Lies. For example, the ear piece Harry uses and the technology used to locate people/machines etc. in the building by his team in the van. Bond seems to be finishing his last mission and on the other hand it seems that Harry is starting a new mission. There is also product placement in True Lies. Microsoft Windows and Mercedes have advertised their products in the sequence.
Both movies fall into the same genre; Action. From the start the audience know that the hero is on a mission. They both setup and detonate a bomb (pyrotechnics) and there is normal violence (hands and guns). Both of the heroes get into trouble and use their expertise and experience to get out, which involves fighting. All of these things give a very strong impression that it is an action movie. In both sequences the setting, performance and appearance is similar. Both are set in some sort of party, where the hero is sent to gather information. They both wear similar costumes (frog suits and tuxedos) and they both have a similar style of handling their work. The appearance of both heroes is stereotypical; they are irresistible to women and are invincible. As I have already mentioned above the theme tune for the movie is being played at the beginning of the sequence.
The narrative will develop as the movie progresses. The audience will find know answers/reasons for certain events. For example, ‘What were they doing at the party?’ ‘Who was that girl?’ ‘Why did she try to get him killed?’ etc. These mysteries create suspense which keeps the audience interested. Both movies go straight into action. The mission starts right at the beginning of the movie. This also adds to the suspense, as the audience would want to know background information on the mission, the enemy etc.
The film makers have used several methods to attract and hook the audience. I have mentioned one in the previous paragraphs; suspense. This gets the audience thinking about what they think is going to happen next and therefore keeps them interested. Another technique used is the actors; Arnold Schwarzenegger in True Lies and Sean Connery in Goldfinger. Both of these are super stars and just by naming them the audience know what to expect.
Advertisement of the movie also plays a big part in the release and success of a movie. A picture of Schwarzenegger and Connery may be enough to attract people to watch the movie, as they will be familiar with some of their previous movies. Trailers of the movie can also attract audiences, as the footage may be appealing.
The audience is hooked by the famous super star actors and mysterious start to a movie. The suspense created makes the audience watch the movie right to the end when all the answers are given. The narrative is developed around the start or first mission. The first mission is only a small piece of the puzzle which the audience is left to piece together.
